Posts tagged Colorado
US labor unions fight to contain AI disruption
June 5, 2025 // The threat extends beyond manufacturing. The CEO of Anthropic, which created Claude as a competitor to ChatGPT, warned last week that generative AI could eliminate half of all low-skilled white-collar jobs, potentially driving unemployment rates up to 10-20 percent. "The potential displacement of workers and elimination of jobs is a significant concern not just for our members, but for the public in general," said Peter Finn of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, America's largest union.
COLORADO: Safeway and Albertsons union members vote to strike
June 4, 2025 // The ULP strike is protesting against what UFCW Local 7 says are unfair practices, such as refusing to offer retroactive wage increases and benefit contributions, bypassing the union to deal directly with a worker regarding grievances, and covering up an illegal no-poaching agreement with Kroger during the 2022 King Soopers strike.
Over 1,000 dairy worker Teamsters vote to authorize strike in Colorado, California, other states
June 4, 2025 // The union says just one or two of these strikes could cause supply chain issues. "We know how much money DFA makes, and we know what we deserve," said Peter Rosales, a Local 630 shop steward at Alta Dena Dairy in California. "This company is only successful because of us, and we take pride in our work. All we're asking for is our fair share."
Op-ed: Colorado workers should know their rights
May 22, 2025 // With the examples of Pueblo and Denver—and those in other states—in mind, Colorado employees would be wise to educate themselves on their rights under state and federal law regarding union membership and representation. With lawmakers determined to expand union power, it may be up to employees to ensure that union officials are also held accountable to the law.
COLORADO: As expected, Gov. Polis vetoes bill changing unionization requirements
May 19, 2025 // Lawmakers passed the bill at the end of the legislative session after negotiations between labor leadership and the business community failed. Democrats were hoping Polis would have a change of heart. "I would think as the figurehead of the Democratic party," Rep. Jennifer Bacon, who sponsored the bill, said on the House floor last Monday. "He will do what Democrats ask him to do and what Democrats worked on. I have faith that he will do it. He will sign this bill." That didn't happen. In his veto letter, Polis said he was open to changing the law but thinks there should be a higher threshold when voting for dues deductions.
Colorado House advances bill deleting requirement to impose dues on non-union members
May 7, 2025 // Federal law governs union formation. In an election, a labor group must receive a simple majority to unionize — a related but separate issue than what's before Colorado lawmakers. Specifically, Colorado law requires a second election to allow a unionized workplace to negotiate over fees on non-union members. That election requires a higher threshold of a 75% "yes" vote to pass. The unions want to get rid of that second election. Business and labor have been divided on the measure since it was introduced early in the session. Polis told both groups he would not sign the measure into law unless they could reach a compromise, but as the end of session loomed, a deal has failed to materialized. Read the full story on Colorado Politics.
Commentary: Groomed by the System: How a Colorado School Betrayed a Family’s Trust
April 24, 2025 // A child, driven by an inappropriate relationship with a teacher, felt compelled to falsely declare herself homeless. Yet not a single adult entrusted with her safety — not the counselor, not the teachers, not the principal — acted responsibly. When the child’s mother confronted the principal about the inappropriate relationship, the principal defended the teacher, saying, “Ms Kearney takes interest in helping kids navigate their sexuality.”
Union sues King Soopers, claims grocery giant violated strike-ending agreement
April 20, 2025 // The lawsuit claims King Soopers & City Market have not given consideration to union proposals during the negotiations, and put ultimatums forward that would expire in April, months before the 100-day stand-down period runs out.
Commentary: Teachers Need to Ditch Their Union
April 16, 2025 // The California Teachers Association, which considers itself “the co-equal fourth branch of government,” per former Democratic State Senate leader Dom Perata, is no better. As the Freedom Foundation notes, the union reports its political expenditures under three separate filings: The Issues Political Action Committee (PAC); The Association for Better Citizenship (ABC); and, The Independent Expenditure Committee (IEC).
Bill to remove Colorado requirement for second vote to unionize passes House committee
March 17, 2025 // Mabrey emphasized the fact that five former U.S. secretaries of Labor wrote to Colorado Governor Jared Polis in support of the bill in early February, saying the requirement for a second vote creates “an unnecessary barrier” to unionization. Polis has suggested that he will not support the legislation unless a compromise arises. At a press conference Thursday, Polis told reporters the bill is about “the right of workers to have a say on whether they’re forced to pay union dues,” and that a second election provides that. He said he will support a solution that presents “a way of organizing that’s more stable,” though he would not state directly whether he would sign the bill as is.